Now it's my time for a new pc.

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blue-eye-boy

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I formatted and reinstalled my laptop, but no, it really not worth it any more. It is 6 years old now, and not doing the job like it used to. Luckily my wife also need a c at home, so we've decided to push it and get a new pc.

I do not play games, so no need for a high end setup. It will mainly be used for Pastel, photoshop, dvd burning, internet, and office. Thats the biggest uses for the pc. But I dont like buying a too low end pc, just to do it all over again in a year's time. I need a good basic pc now, which I can upgrade by maybe a graphics card, more ram, or sound card, or whatever.

My budged it in the area of R10 000, so it's not that big, if you take that I must get a descent scree too, as I've realized that it is worth it to invest in a good screen, for our eyes sake.

Now, I still think I'll get a better pc if I build it myself, although I'm not clued up with what specs the different parts must have. I did build a pc before, so I think I know what to do if I get the parts. It's just what to choose that worries me. I wish there was a step by step guide to read before I buy, thats why I'm posting this thread. So here's my list, and pls bear with me if I ask to many questions. I want to get the right setup for what I need.

Case: I checked out some of the R300 Coolermaster ones, are they good enough? What must I look for?

PSU: what size and make will be enough?

Motherboard: Asus? I need onboard graphics and sound, usb 3.0, sata, and enough slots for later upgrading. What Specs must I look for?

Cpu: Intel or amd? Size and specs?

Cpu fan: Size, make and specs? And does tha cpu or fan comes with thermal paste?

HDD: I thought of getting a 80 gig ssd for windows. Later a bigger normal drive for data. Specs and makes?

Dvd drive: This one isn't too hard to decide.

Screen: Is it a must to get a led? I like samsung screens, but what do you think? Other makes? I'll get the biggest screen for the money that I can get, but at least 23 inch.

Thanks in advance for who ever help me out here.
 
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80gb ssd will set you back almost 2k.. Maybe a 40gb or 60gb for 1.2k. PSU sould be around 600w and up. Look at intel i5 for around 2k. Samsung 23" should be also around 2k
 
I was thinking of getting a i7, but I see it is expensive. Are many of the guys also using i5 atm? Maybe not worth it to go for i7 instead of i5?
 
jacqvt said:
I was thinking of getting a i7, but I see it is expensive. Are many of the guys also using i5 atm? Maybe not worth it to go for i7 instead of i5?
Click to expand...

Got a quad core i5 in my iMac and dual cores in both my laptops. They are excellent, would definitely recommend the i5.
 
Dell P2311H LED 1920x1080 screen (TN panel still) @ ~R1,740
Ideally you'd want to go for an IPS panel if you're doing Photoshop as your job, so that you'll have better colour accuracy.

Quote from Rebeltech for the PC (Sub-Total: ~R8,480):


** Please just take note:
1) that I wasn't able to select the i5 2500/2500k, since they're out of stock. The CPU's come with a heatsink and thermal pads, so you won't need extra thermal paste
2) the Asus motherboards are rather expensive compared to the standard Intel brand ones - so you can easily save R200 by just going for an Intel one
3) You might be able to get a cheaper 1-2TB HDD at like DionWired/Makro/Incredible Connection, because the HDD prices are currently outrageously expensive at online shops
4) the quote excludes a mouse & keyboard
5) the prices includes VAT, but excludes shipping
 
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Macabre25 said:
i5 2500k amazing cpu definitely recommend it
Click to expand...

I'll also say get an i5, they are awesome for most mid to high end rigs and would be more than perfect for what you need. As far as motherboards go, rather get a discrete mobo(needs a graphics card) as a graphics card will allow you to run photoshop decently.

Nice thing is that the sandybridge processors make use of the LGA1155 socket which will be around quite some time allowing you to keep the mobo for a few years.
 
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Ipwn 4:
I'm pretty sure the Intel HD2000 that is integrated in the i5 2400/2500 would be able to handle Photoshop quite nicely. The Intel HD graphics cards are amongst the supported graphics cards for Adobe Photoshop CS5 : http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/831/cpsid_83117.html

You can easily install a dedicated graphics card like an HD6770 or so afterwards, even if you don't have a discreet (one without onboard video) motherboard.

If you want to overclock, then you need
1) a CPU that ends with an 'k', like the i5 2500k/i7 2600k/2700k,
2) as well as a P67/Z68 chipset motherboard,
3) and a better CPU cooler
 
Pada said:
Ipwn 4:
I'm pretty sure the Intel HD2000 that is integrated in the i5 2400/2500 would be able to handle Photoshop quite nicely. The Intel HD graphics cards are amongst the supported graphics cards for Adobe Photoshop CS5 : http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/831/cpsid_83117.html

You can easily install a dedicated graphics card like an HD6770 or so afterwards, even if you don't have a discreet (one without onboard video) motherboard.

If you want to overclock, then you need
1) a CPU that ends with an 'k', like the i5 2500k/i7 2600k/2700k,
2) as well as a P67/Z68 chipset motherboard,
3) and a better CPU cooler
Click to expand...

i5's have HD3000 I believe.
 
thanks so far. As for photoshop, I'm pretty sure the i5 will handle it, I did it with my celeron laptop till now! I just like to get the best setup while I'm at it. But if you guys tell me that its good, then i5 it will be.
 
Pada said:
Dell P2311H LED 1920x1080 screen (TN panel still) @ ~R1,740
Ideally you'd want to go for an IPS panel if you're doing Photoshop as your job, so that you'll have better colour accuracy.

Quote from Rebeltech for the PC (Sub-Total: ~R8,480):


** Please just take note:
1) that I wasn't able to select the i5 2500/2500k, since they're out of stock. The CPU's come with a heatsink and thermal pads, so you won't need extra thermal paste
2) the Asus motherboards are rather expensive compared to the standard Intel brand ones - so you can easily save R200 by just going for an Intel one
3) You might be able to get a cheaper 1-2TB HDD at like DionWired/Makro/Incredible Connection, because the HDD prices are currently outrageously expensive at online shops
4) the quote excludes a mouse & keyboard
5) the prices includes VAT, but excludes shipping
Click to expand...
Shucks, thanks for all the info. Just a few questions.
-I saw elsewhere that windows 7 doesn't see more than 3 gig ram, unless I install the 64 bit version. Is that true? And if yes, is the hardware you suggested in line with that?
- You say the intel boards cost less, but is the quality the same as asus? Or maybe msi, or gigabyte?
-I see the motherboard you mentioned, is micro atx, wont that be a problem later if I want to upgrade?
- I also see the motherboard doesn't have usb 3.0. I don't have usb 3.0 hardware right now, but wont that also be a problem later on?
- I think I'll pass with the extra hdd for now. 120 gig ssd will do easily for what I need now. When rices come down, I can buy again.
 
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And I must say, I see pcint beat many of the prices sofar. Will check if I decided what to get.
 
Yes, you need 64-bit operating system to access more than 3GB of RAM.
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit supports up to 8GB of RAM, where as Home Premium 64-bit supports up to 16GB of RAM.

PCInternational's prices on the Intel CPU's & Asus motherboards are amongst the cheapest that you can get.
Asus has the best after sales support, which is very handy if something breaks. I haven't had any issues with the stock Intel motherboards, so I can't comment on their support though.

Sorry about the motherboard. I thought it included USB 3. USB 3 is really starting to pick up, so I would advise you to get a motherboard that supports USB 3.

If you have an old PC with like a 320-500GB HDD, then you can always use that, as long as it has a SATA interface. It would be a wise choice is you can get away without buying a HDD at this moment, seeing that the prices are sky-high!
 
Pada said:
Ipwn 4:
I'm pretty sure the Intel HD2000 that is integrated in the i5 2400/2500 would be able to handle Photoshop quite nicely. The Intel HD graphics cards are amongst the supported graphics cards for Adobe Photoshop CS5 : http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/831/cpsid_83117.html

You can easily install a dedicated graphics card like an HD6770 or so afterwards, even if you don't have a discreet (one without onboard video) motherboard.

If you want to overclock, then you need
1) a CPU that ends with an 'k', like the i5 2500k/i7 2600k/2700k,
2) as well as a P67/Z68 chipset motherboard,
3) and a better CPU cooler
Click to expand...

IMO its better to have dedicated graphics, there's no point in going for an i5 2500 if your planning on smacking it on the cheapest possible mobo. Depending on the amount of work that will be done on photoshop one can decide wether you want to run photoshop or use it the way it should, I've had too many client moan due the costs of rigs that are purpose built to handle photoshop when all they wanted to do is edit the odd photo. For the odd photo there is no need for an i5, a Pentium will do just fine for everyday tasks
 
Just to correct something, I also just edit the odd photo or 2. I dont have time for a photo hobby now, but in a few year's time, maybe I will have time. But still I think I'll go for the cpu you guys mentioned, the i5 2500k. When I bought my laptop, I pushed it the highest I could afford, and it lasted me almost 6 years now, and will still be good for some editing and so. So thats why I will push it this time too.
 
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